Self-loading dump truck



April 1949- B. MCLENDON 1 I 2,468,220

SELF-LOADING DUMP TRUCK Filed Jan. 8, 1947 .5 Sheets- Sheet 1 Q gwuvr viom W/AZ l5 5. Me: EA/OOM,

F WM

April 26, 1949.

w. B. MCLENDON 2,468,220

Filed Jan. 8, 1947 April 26, 1949- w. B. McLENDON SELF-LOADING DiJMP TRUCK 3 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed'Jan. 8, 1947 WILL/6 B. M "LE/YDO/V,

Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF-LOADING DUMP TRUCK Willis B. ll/icLendon, Pensacola, Fla.

Application January 8, 1947, Serial No. 720,751

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to land vehicles and more specifically pertains to a truck of the type adapted to be self-loading for picking up granular material whereby the load may be conveyed by the truck and dumped therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide a truck wherein the hopper or body may be moved from a normal position on the vehicle chassis downwardly to a position for permitting material quantities of materials such as earth, coal, sand, and the like to be moved into the hopper or body by the expedient of backing the truck into the material to be loaded thereon.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a selfdoading truck wherein the loadcarrying body is mounted for longitudinal movement on an auxilia y frame which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle chassis frame to permit movement of the body to loading positions and to facilitate the lifting of the hopper with the load therein to a position for supporting the load on the vehicle chassis.

Another object of the invention relates to a truck of the self-loading dump type wherein the body or hopper is mounted for longitudinal movement relative to a U-shaped auxiliary frame including means for moving the hopper longitudinally of the auxiliary frame and means for swinging the U -shaped frame to permit self -loading of the hopper and dumping of the load therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide means at the rear end of the truck for preventing tilting of the vehicle chassis during initial lifting of the loaded or partially loaded hopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for locking the auxiliary frame in a normal or load-carryin position and for automatically unlocking the frame for swinging movement upon initial actuation of the frame toward a loading or unloading position.

Other objects features of the invention will be more apparent as the disclosure procoeds and upon consideration of the accompan ing dra. ings the following detailed descrip tion wherein an exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a self-loading dump truck embod ng the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sim ar View showing the body or hopper in the loading position;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the truck;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the truck;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View illustrating one position of the hydraulic control valve;

Fig. 7 is a similar diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the piston of the hydraulic cylinder may be locked in any position; and

Fig. 8 is another diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic control valve in another operative position.

The present invention is directed to a self-loading dump truck which has been found to be of practical commercial worth and pertains to a mechanism for shifting the load-carrying body or hopper in a simple and reliable manner including a minimum of parts. The body actuating mechanism includes a U-shaped auxiliary frame pivotally mounted on the chassis frame of the vehicle and adapted to be swung to various positions through an angle of approximately relative to the truck frame by any suitable means such as a hydraulic operated piston and cylinder arrangement. Another feature of the invention pertains to the longitudinal movement of the uniquely shaped body or hopper relative to the U-shaped auxiliary frame so as to permit selfloading of the hopper by the simple expedient of backing the truck into a mass of granular material. The invention further includes automatic means for looking the U-shaped auxiliary frame in a horizontal or load-carrying position and for unlocking this frame during the initial movement thereof to an elevated position. The invention also includes means for avoiding any possibility of the truck chassis turning or tipping about the rear axle during the lifting of the loaded hopper.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown at W a land vehicle which may be motor driven. The vehicle ,chassis includes a frame having longitudinally extending side beams II and I2. These side beams of the chassis frame are preferably of channel shape in cross section as shown in Fig. 5. It will be observed that the side beams II and I2 extend rearwardly beyond the power driven rear wheels 14 and 15 to provide a rigid portion of the truck chassis frame therebeyond and the purpose thereof will be more apparent as the present disclosure proceeds. Power may be supplied to the driving wheels I4 and IS in any suitable manner and it is to be noted that the truck chassis frame rearwardly of the axle I1 is unobstructed by any cross members so as to permit the rear end of an auxiliary frame hereinafter described and the load-carrying body or hopper to swing downwardly into the space between the rear ends of the chassis beams I and i2 as shown in Fig. 2. The truck body may include conventional type load-carrying springs i9 and the truck also is provided with an enclosed compartment for an operator, and this structure may be of the cab-over-engine type as shown at 2|. The truck also includes front wheels represented at 22 which are provided for steering and supporting the front end of the vehicle.

The load-carrying body or hopper 26 is uniquely shaped and includes a bottom wall 28 and a front wall 29. The side walls of the hopper are preferably parallel and extend upwardly as indicated at 3| to provide a relatively long and angularly arranged rear wall 32. This rear wall is preferably arranged at an angle of approximately one hundred and twenty-five degrees with reference to the bottom Wall 28. The purpose of angularly arranged rear wall 52 is to permit the hopper to be lowered to a position somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 2 so that the rear wall 32 is then substantially parallel with the ground and to permit the scoop-shaped end to be pushed into a pile of material whereby this material will be introduced into the hopper.

The hopper is mounted for movement on an auxiliary frame 36. This auxiliary frame is pivotally mounted on the vehicle chassis frame and over the rear axle 'l or even forwardly thereof. .In the embodiment illustrated the auxiliary frame 34 includes a depending bracket 36 at each side thereof. These brackets 36 may be welded or otherwise secured to the auxiliary frame and stub shafts 38 extend through the brackets 36 and provide a hinge mounting of the auxiliary frame on the chassis frame. The stub shafts .38 are journaled in suitable bearings carried by the beams H and HM the chassis frame.

The auxiliary frame 34 is U-shaped in plan outline-and includes longitudinally extending legs 4| and 42. These legs 4| and 42 are joined at the forward end by means of a head or cross member 43 which may be welded or otherwise secured to the leg members -4-| and 42. The auxiliary frame thereby provided is rigid and is 'adapted to turn about the axis of the stub shafts .38. .The auxiliary frame 34 may be moved to a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 or moved upwardly through a large angle and 'even beyond the position shown in Fig.2.

The load-carrying body or hopper 26 is adapted .to be longitudinally-moved on the auxiliary frame =34 and any suitable anti-friction means may be provided for permitting the hopper to be readily moved on legs 4| and 42 :of the auxiliary frame 34 (even when a relatively large load is carried by the hopper. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, anti-friction rollers have been avoided for more clearly illustrating the general organization. The U-shaped auxiliary frame-and particularly the longitudinally extending legs 4| and 42 are each U-shaped in cross section as shown .in -Fig.5and these frame portions provide means for guiding the hopper as it .moves .lon-gi- :tudinallyof the truck. In the illustrated embodimen'tshoemem'bers 45 are .slidable in the legs 4! and and these members support the hopper or body 25. Other types of anti-friction members maybe mounted on the load-carrying body or hopper for sliding or rolling movement in the channel shaped legs 4| and 42 of the auxiliary U-sfhaped frame 34.

'Ihe invention includes means for shifting the hopper 25 "longitudinally of the auxiliary frame and in one embodiment of the invention such means includes a worm 5| which extends lengthwise of the U-shaped frame and is journaled in a bearing 52 mounted on the cross member 43. This bearing 52 is of a type to resist longitudinal thrust of the worm 5| in both axial directions thereof. The worm shaft is rotatable in the bearing 52. The free end of the worm 5| is threaded in a nut member 54 rigidly :secured to the bottom of the body or hopper '26. A tubular protective sheath 55 may be secured to the under face of the hopper for preventing dirt and the like from engaging threads of the worm 5|. The worm passes freely through this tubular member 55.

Thus rotation of the worm will cause the hopper 26 to be moved longitudinally of the auxiliary frame. Any suitable means may be employed for driving the worm 5| such as an electric motor 56 rigidly mounted at the forward end of the U-shaped auxiliary frame in any suitable manner, such as by means of a bracket 51. The motor 55 is of a reversible type which may be selectively energized to rotate the worm 5| .in either direction and accordingly move the hopper 26 rearwardly or forwardly in accordance with the desires of the operator. The electrical controls for the motor 56 may be of a conventional type and actuated by the driver of the vehicle seated in the cab 2|.

The auxiliary frame 34 may be turned about the axis of the stub shafts 38 by a hydraulically operated mechanism which includes a cylinder 59. This cylinder is mounted at its forward end for pivotal movement by means of a transverse shaft 5|. This shaft is connected to the end of the cylinder by means of a 'T-shaped member I0. The member E5 may be welded to the head of the cylinder 59 and rotate on the shaft 6|. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a piston (not shown) within the cylinder 59 and a piston rod 62 which is connected to an auxiliary frame by means of a transverse rod or shaft 63. This rod 53 may be journaled for rotation in bearings 64, one of which is attached to each of the leg members ii and 43. The piston rod 62 is connected to the shaft 53 in any appropriate manner. In one construction a T-shaped sleeve 60 is employed to join these members. The sleeve may be welded to the piston rod 62 and rotatably embrace the rod 63. In any eventual construction the cylinder and the piston rod 62 are free to swing when the piston rod 62 moves out of the cylinder 59 as shown in Fig. 2.

A conventional source of liquid under pressure is supplied through a pipe 1| to a control valve shown generally at 12 and mounted adjacent the seat in the cab 2|. This control valve includes a handle l5 which, in the position shown in Fig. 3, arranges the valve in the position shown in Fig. 6 whereby liquid under pressure passes from the supply pipe H to a conduit 13, a flexible hose "it and into the forward end of the hydraulic cylinder 59. The piston therein moves rearwardly of the cylinder 59 and the piston rod 62 accordingly is extended so as to move the auxiliary frame 34 upwardly from'the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to and even beyond the position shown in Fig. 2. During this movement, liquid in the cylinder 59 rearwardly of the piston exhausts through a hose l5 and a pipe 11 and passes through the control valve and into the return conduit 78 and to the source of fluid under pressure.

The U-shaped frame may be locked in any position by turning the control handle '|5'to the neutral position so as to move the valve 12 to a position as illustrated in Fig. 7. The supply pipe H is then in communication with the return conduit E8. The liquid in the cylinder 59 is then prevented from shifting to opposite sides of the piston because the conduits l3 and ii are blocked by unapertured portions of the control valve l2.

The piston within the hydraulic cylinder 59 may be moved toward the forward end thereof by turning the control handle it to arrangethe valve 12 in the position shown in Fig. 8 where liquid from the cylinder 59. exhausts through the hose Hi and conduit is and passes into the return pipe lid. The liquid under pressure from the supply pipe H then passes into the rear end of the cylinder 59 through the conduit H and the flexible tube it. Accordingly, the piston rod 62 moves into the cylinder 59 to swing the auxiliary frame downwardly.

The invention includes means for locking the U-shaped frame in the horizontal position shown in I and this means includes a hook 3| mounted for pivotal movement on the chassis frame. The hook B! is adapted to turn about the axis of a pin 82 secured in brackets as mounted on the chassis frame. The lower portion of the hook carries an arm 83 which depends below the pivot pin 82. When the auxiliary frame is in the locked position as shown in Fig. 3, the hook 8! is automatically turned to an unlatched position upon initial supply of liquid under pressure to the forward end of the cylinder 5&3 through the flexible tube M. This advantageous function is accomplished by mounting the transverse shaft El for slight movement longitudinally of the chassis frame. In one embodiment as shown, the shaft 6! extends into bearings 85 mounted in the longitudinal beams i l and 92 of the chassis frame. These bearings 86 are rigidly secured to the vehicle chassis and are each provided with a slot 35 as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, when liquid is supplied through the hose M, the reaction force set up between the piston and the forward end of the cylinder 59 moves the shaft 6! forwardly relative to the truck frame. A bar 89 carried by the shaft 5! engages the arm 83 and turns the hook 8i in a clockwise direction in Fig. 3 about the pin 82 so as to release the detent from hooked engagement with the head or cross member d3 of the U -shaped auixliary frame. Accordingly, the auxiliary frame is free to turn about the axis of the stub shafts 38.

When the U-shaped frame is lowered by exhausting liquid through the hose it, the piston is moved forwardly in the cylinder to and the auxiliary frame moves downwardly. The hook 8i is provided with a lug 95 which is engaged by the lower edge of the head or cross member 43 and accordingly swings the hook 8| to the latched position. If desired, a block 99 may be provided on the cross member 43 for being engaged by the hook 8!. The hook is then in condition to be unlatched when liquid is supplied through the hose it.

The invention includes means for preventing tipping of the vehicle chassis about the rear axle ll when the hopper is being loaded and when it is desired to lift the hopper with a load therein from the position ShOWn in Fig. 2. Such means may include a pair of idler wheels fill and H92 mounted on the extended portions of the side beams Hand l2 of the chassis frame rearwardly of the axle 17. These wheels fill and I02 are preferably of such a diameter as to normally remain out of engagement with the surface on which the truck is supported. In the event of a tendency for the chassis frame to tip, these wheels if?! and H32 engage the ground and prevent a tendency of the truck frame to turn about the axle ii. The wheels Hi! and I02 represent but one .arm of the means that may be employed for preventing a tendency of the front end of the truck to be lifted. The wheels NH and I02 are resiliently mounted in brackets M8 and secured to the rear ends of the longitudinal beams of the chassis frame.

In operation of the truck, when it is desired to fill the body or hopper 25, the motor 56 is started to move the load-carrying body rearwardly from the dotted line position of Fig. 3 to a position somewhat as shown in Fig. 1. The control lever is is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 to arrange the valve F2 in the position shown in Fig. 6. Liquid under pressure is then supplied to the hose M and at the forward end of the cylinder 59. The reactive force thereby set up causes the shaft 5| to move slightly forward in the slots 85. This movement will cause the bar 99 to engage the arm 83 and swing a latch 8! to a position to free the forward end of the iJ--shaped frame.

The piston moves rearwardly in the cylinder 59 and liquid exhausts from the cylinder through the tube l6 and the conduit ii and into the return conduit 78. The shaft 63 being positioned forwardly of the stub shafts 38 will turn the U- shaped frame upwardly to a position such as shown in Fig. 2 whereby the rear wall 32 of the hopper will be substantially aligned with the ground. The truck may then be backed whereby the scoop-shaped hopper will engage under the pile of material, such as shown in Fig. 2. The control lever may then be turned to position the valve l2 as shown in Fig. 8, whereby liquid will be supplied to the rear end of the cylinder 59 through the pipe if and the hose 15. The forward end of the cylinder then exhausts through the hose M and the pipe E3, the valve 12 and the return conduit it. The U-shaped frame then swings downwardly whereby the granular material will slide down along the wall 32 onto the bottom wall 28 of the hopper. Then another bite of the load may be introduced into the hopper 26 by again turning the U -shaped frame to position the hopper as shown in Fig. 2 whereupon another rearward backing movement of the truck will permit additional material to enter the hopper. These bites may be repeated to substantially fill the hopper 26. During the loading of the hopper, the material may be shifted to the forward portion thereof by rapid forward driving of the truck and a sudden stopping whereby the inertia of the load will shift the same to the forward part of the hopper.

After the hopper has been filled, the load-carrying body may be moved forwardly on the auxiliary frame by energizing the motor 56 so as to turn the worm in such a direction as to move the hopper forwardly and to a position where the load will be more evenly distributed on the wheels of the vehicle. When the U-shaped auxiliary frame 3 moves downwardly towards the horizontal position, the lower edge of the cross member 43 engages the lug M of the hook Si and turns this device in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the pin 82. The hook M then engages over the block and retains the auxiliary frame Fi l in a locked condition during transportation of the vehicle. The control lever l5 may also be turned to the neutral position to arrange the valve 12 in the position shown in :Fig. 7, whereby the liquid within the hydraulic cylinder is prevented from shifting through the conduit system and thereby maintains the piston therein in a fixed position. During normal traveling, the anti-tipping means, such as the wheels It! and 102, do not normally engage the roadway or ground. It will be appreciated, however, that these wheels may be of such diameter as to normally assist in supporting the load carried by the vehicle and also serve as anti-tipping means. Furthermore, other means may be provided for preventing tipping of the vehicle during lifting of a load.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural details, it will be appreciated that a number of changes may be made in the various elements and the general organization. A number of modifications may be made, such as different power actuating elements for turning the auxiliary frame and for shifting the hopper-shaped body longitudinally thereon. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a land vehicle, a chassis frame including side beams, an auxiliary frame including legs extending along the side beams of the chassis frame, means supporting the legs of said auxiliary frame for pivotal movement on said beams, means for swinging said auxiliary frame relative to the chassis frame, a scoop-shaped body mounted for longitudinal movement on said auxiliary frame, means carried by the auxiliary frame for shifting the body longitudinally of the auxiliar frame, said beams providing an unobstructed space therebetween at the rear portion of the chassis frame, and the legs of said auxiliary frame being so spaced that a portion of the auxiliary frame and the scoop-shaped body may move downwardly through said unobstructed space of the chassis frame.

2. In a land vehicle, a chassis frame including longitudinally extending side beams, a U-shaped auxiliary frame including legs extending along and above the side beams, means pivotally conrnecting the legs of said auxiliary frame to the .chassis frame, means carried by the chassis frame for swinging said auxiliary frame relative to the chassis frame, a scoop-shaped body mounted for longitudinal movement on said auxiliary frame, means carried by the other end of the auxiliary frame for shifting the body longitudinally of the auxiliary frame, said beams providing an unobstructed space therebetween at the rear portion of the chassis frame, and the legs of said auxiliary frame being positioned inwardly of the side beams so that a rear portion of the auxiliary frame and a portion of the scoop-shaped body may swing downwardly into said unobstructed space of the chassis frame.

3. In a land vehicle, a chassis frame, a U- ;shaped auxiliary frame including legs, means pivotally supporting the legs of said auxiliary frame on the chassis frame, means for swinging said auxiliary frame relative to the chassis frame, a scoop-shaped body mounted for longitudinal movement on said legs, a motor carried by the auxiliary frame, a worm driven by said motor for shifting the body longitudinally of the auxiliary frame, said chassis frame including longitudinal beams wider than the legs of the auxiliary frame to provide an unobstructed space between the beams at the rear portion of the chassis frame,

wheels arranged forwardly of the rear ends of said beams, and means depending from each of said beams at the rear end of each, normally not engaging a surface supporting said wheels, but adapted to engage said surface and arrest downwardly tilting movement of said chassis frame about the axis of said wheels.

4. In a self-loading dump truck, a chassis frame, an auxiliary frame mounted for pivotal movement on the chassis frame, normally engaging the auxiliary frame to prevent upward movement thereof, power-actuated means for moving the auxiliary frame upwardly with reference to the chassis frame, and means moved by initial operation of said power-actuated means to move said hook to an unlatched position.

5. In a self-loading dump truck, a chassis frame, an auxiliary frame mounted for pivotal movement on the chassis frame, a hook pivotally mounted on the chassis frame normally engaging the auxiliary frame to prevent upward movement thereof, a hydraulically operated cylinder and piston for moving the auxiliary frame upwardly with reference to the chassis frame, and means associated with the hook and said cylinder actuated by the reactive force set up upon initial supply of liquid under pressure to said cylinder for moving said hook to an unlatched position.

6. In a land vehicle, a chassis frame including longitudinally extending side beams, a -U-shaped frame including a cross member and legs arranged alone said side beams, pivots supporting the legs of the U-shaped frame on said chassis frame, a hook pivotally mounted on the chassis frame and normally engaging said cross member, a hydraulically operated cylinder, a lost motion connection between one end of the cylinder and said chassis frame, means associated with the cylinder for moving the U-shaped frame upwardly in response to the supply of liquid under pressure to the cylinder, and means operated by the movement of the cylinder on said lost motion connection for moving the hook to an unlatched position.

'71. In a self-loading dump truck, a vehicle chassis frame including longitudinally extending side beams, driving wheels supporting said chassis frame, a hopper movably mounted relative to said chassis frame and adapted to be lowered between said side beams rearwardly of said driving wheels, means fixed to each side beam rearwardly of the driving wheels for preventing tipping of the chassis frame when the hopper having a load therein is lifted and supported on the chassis frame.

8. In a self-loading dump truck, a vehicle chassis frame including longitudinally extending side beams, driving wheels supporting said chassis frame, a hopper movably mounted relative to said chassis frame and adapted to be lowered between the said side beams rearwardly of said driving wheels, and wheels carried by the side beams rearwardly of the driving wheels for preventing tipping of the chassis frame when the hopper having a load therein is being lifted and supported on the rear end of the chassis frame,

9. In a land vehicle, a chassis frame including longitudinally extending side beams, a U-shaped frame including a cross member and legs extending along said side beams, pivots supportin the legs of the U-shaped frame 0n said chassis frame, a scoop-shaped hopper mounted for movement longitudinally of the legs of the U-shaped frame, a motor mounted on the said cross member for moving said hopper relative to the U-shaped frame, a hydraulically operated cylinder, means associated with the cylinder for moving the U- shaped frame upwardly in response to the supply of liquid under pressure to the cylinder, said beams providing an unobstructed space therebetween at the rear portion of the chassis frame, the legs of said auxiliary frame being so spaced that a portion of the auxiliary frame and a portion of the scoop hopper may move downwardly through said space, load supporting wheels arranged forwardly of the rear ends of said beams, and an auxiliary wheel carried by the rear end portion of each beam normally out of engagement with the surface supporting said load supporting wheels but adapted to engage said surface and arrest downward tilting movement of the chassis frame about the axis of said load supporting wheels.

10. In a self-loading dump truck, a vehicle chassis frame including longitudinally arranged side beams having rigid rear portions with an unobstructed space therebetween, main wheels supporting the chassis frame, a hopper movably mounted relative to said chassis frame and adapted to be lowered through the unobstructed space between said side beams and rearwardly of said wheels, an auxiliary wheel secured to the rear portion of one beam, an auxiliary wheel secured to the rear portion of the other beam, and said auxiliary wheels preventing unrestrained tipping of the chassis frame about the axis of the main wheels when the hopper carries a load with the center of gravity thereof rearwardly of the axis of the main wheels.

WILLIS B. McLENDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

